VENICE: Zac Efron says his movie career is at a crossroads, and the former Disney teen idol is tempted more by less pay and hard graft than blockbusters and big bucks.

The 24-year-old, who became a household name in "High School Musical", was in Venice on Friday for the world premiere of "At Any Price", set in the cut-throat world of agriculture in which he plays Dean and Dennis Quaid his father Henry.

Efron's appearance on the Lido island across the water from the Canal City drew crowds of screaming girls begging for his autograph, and came a few months after he walked the red carpet in Cannes with another small-budget drama "The Paperboy".

Directed by Ramin Bahrani, At Any Price blends family drama with a searing attack on big business and chasing profits whatever the cost, as farmers in Iowa cut corners and cook the books in order to fulfil the mantra "Expand or Die".

"All I have, really, is the ability to look back at my elders and the people that I really respect in this industry, the actors that have been here before and really made an impact ... and I put myself in their shoes," Efron said.

"I sort of stand here with, say, two roads in front of me," he told reporters after a press screening of the film and ahead of its red carpet premiere at a glitzy evening gala.

"One (is) the easy path ... towards money and the other one being towards playing more interesting roles that I don't have all the answers to, or going with Ramin into the cornfields for a couple of weeks.

"It seems like the choice that I respect more. I'm following my gut here and this is what I want to be doing, you know. I'm hungry for it."

Efron is one of several rising Hollywood stars in Venice this year, along with Selena Gomez ("Spring Breakers") and Shia LaBeouf ("The Company You Keep").

Venice organisers are hoping that young blood will help compensate for the lack of A-listers appearing at the world's oldest film festival this year.

For director Bahrani, At Any Price contains important themes of corporate greed and economic desperation that are being felt the world over.

"I don't want to say what the moral of the film is. I don't know," he said.

"I wanted to ask questions, like what happens when you value expansion more than your community, more than yourself? ... Where have we gone in a world (where) the people who profited the most have gotten away with it and are dancing on top of everybody else?"

He likened Efron to more established actors like Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise and Paul Newman.

While some critics may argue such comparisons are premature, early reviews of the film have singled out Quaid and Efron for their performances.

"Continuing to distance himself from his origins as a pretty-boy teen idol, he (Efron) brings an intense, brooding stillness to the screen here, simmering with the frustrations of small-town entrapment," wrote the Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney. - Reuters

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday left the door wide open to a further easing of monetary policy, saying the stagnation in the U.S. labor market was a "grave concern," but he stopped short of providing a clear signal of imminent action.

His stark language gave a temporary lift to U.S. stocks, but economists walked away from the Fed chairman's remarks still divided over whether the central bank would launch a fresh round of bond purchases at its upcoming meeting in September.

Bernanke said the Fed had to weigh the costs as well as the benefits of more monetary stimulus, although he hinted the costs were likely worthwhile.

"As we assess the benefits and costs of alternative policy approaches ... we must not lose sight of the daunting economic challenges that confront our nation," Bernanke said at the Kansas City Fed's annual Jackson Hole symposium.

"Taking due account of the uncertainties and limits of its policy tools, the Federal Reserve will provide additional policy accommodation as needed to promote a stronger economic recovery and sustained improvement in labor market conditions in a context of price stability."

That was a somewhat weaker hint of policy easing than the minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting had delivered, but Bernanke's dour economic assessment left few doubts where his sympathy lay.

"The stagnation of the labor market in particular is a grave concern not only because of the enormous suffering and waste of human talent it entails, but also because persistently high levels of unemployment will wreak structural damage on our economy that could last for many years," Bernanke said.

Financial markets see-sawed in the wake of Bernanke's comments. U.S. stocks closed roughly where they were before Bernanke spoke, but yields on U.S. government bonds hit a three-week low in anticipation of Fed action and the U.S. dollar fell against both the euro and the yen.

EYES ON THE LABOR MARKET

In response to the financial crisis and recession of 2007-09, the Fed cut overnight interest rates to near zero and bought $2.3 trillion in government and mortgage securities in two separate rounds of so-called quantitative easing.

It next meets on September 12-13, and policymakers have been locked in debate over whether further bond purchases are warranted to spur a stronger recovery.

Economists said Bernanke's emphasis on the health of the job market throws an especially strong spotlight on a report due on September 7 on job growth in August. Hiring picked up in July but the jobless rate moved up to 8.3 percent.

"The speech did not add anything to the information that we had, but, importantly, it did not subtract anything either," said Roberto Perli, managing director of policy research at the International Strategy and Investment Group in Washington.

"It did not walk back an inch from the fairly dovish tone of the minutes," he said, adding it was "probably more a question of when, not if" on further asset purchases.

DOWNPLAYS RISKS OF UNCONVENTIONAL POLICIES

The Fed's aggressive efforts to prop up the economy have drawn criticism from Republican politicians for potentially sowing the seeds for inflation and asset bubbles.

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has said he does not think a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3 in market parlance, would help the economy, and some analysts think the central bank may be hesitant to act ahead of the November 6 presidential election. After September, the Fed has one more policy meeting in late October before Americans go to the polls.

Bernanke, however, downplayed the potential risks from the Fed's unconventional policies and argued the asset purchases had been quite effective at boosting economic growth.

"The costs of nontraditional policies, when considered carefully, appear manageable," he said.

The economy emerged from recession nearly three years ago, but growth has remained tepid. U.S. gross domestic product advanced at a 1.7 percent annual rate in the second quarter, too weak to bring down the nation's elevated unemployment rate.

"Unless the economy begins to grow more quickly than it has recently, the unemployment rate is likely to remain far above levels consistent with maximum sustainable employment," Bernanke said. The Fed is charged with pursuing both price stability and full employment.

Economic data has improved since the Fed's July 31-August 1 meeting, which came before the stronger-than-expected reading for July employment. Reports on retail sales, exports and housing have also been relatively solid.

A report on Friday showed U.S. consumer sentiment hit a three-month high in August, although pessimism on the future remained.

The economy's generally better tone has led some market participants to dial back their expectations of a fresh round of Fed bond purchases in September.

As an alternative, many economists say, the Fed may simply push further into the future the date it thinks it will finally start to move interest rates higher. The central bank has said since January that it expects to keep rates near zero at least through late 2014. - Reuters

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming: Backing bond market intervention by the European Central Bank, the OECD said on Friday that Europe must seize a "window of opportunity" offered by the relative recent calm of financial markets to tackle the simmering euro zone debt crisis.

"I think it is now time that the European authorities push strongly toward a solution," said Pier Carlo Padoan, chief economist of the Paris-based Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.

The OECD represents a respected outside voice on how best to tackle the 2-year crisis, and his comments come just days before the ECB meets to weigh controversial bond market purchases.

Padoan said the OECD had been braced for a very rocky August for euro zone financial markets, particularly for Spanish and Italian bonds, but this volatility had not emerged and stock markets were in fact now stronger.

"It is time to exploit what seems to be a credit-opening from markets on the European situation, so it is very important that authorities exploit this window of opportunity," he told Reuters in an interview.

Padoan, speaking on the sidelines of the annual Jackson Hole policy retreat hosted by the Kansas City Fed, also made clear his support for bond-market buying by the European Central Bank.

With less than a week to go before the ECB could decide to intervene directly to prop up Spanish and Italian bond markets, Padoan said he did not believe the wide bond spreads of weaker southern European nations reflected economic fundamentals, but rather the fear that the euro zone could break up.

"If that is correct, then the response to that spread has to deal with reassuring markets that the euro zone will not break up, in addition to the fact that those countries must continue with their structural adjustments," he said.

"So intervening in bond markets, it is a very important temporary backstop to a wider strategy," he said. "If the ECB comes up with proposals that provide concrete content to the ideas about support of bond markets, that would be extremely important."

The ECB meets on Sept. 6 to review a plan to buy Italian and Spanish bonds in order to win breathing space for euro zone leaders to figure out a longer-term response to the euro zone's sovereign debt woes.

The plan has met stiff opposition from Germany's Bundesbank, whose president, Jens Weidmann, was also attending the conference in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Weidmann declined to comment to reporters here about a German press report that he had considered resigning over the issue. - Reuters

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming: The world's big central banks ought to cooperate more by taking into account the global impact of their individual policy decisions, a top policymaker said on Friday, but he was immediately challenged by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Jaime Caruana, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements, a global forum for central banks, told some of the world's most powerful policymakers that they must recapture the common sense of purpose they showed when fighting the global financial crisis of 2007-09.

"Central banks need to take a more international perspective, recognize their collective influence and take into account monetary policy spillovers," he told policymakers at the annual retreat here, hosted by the Kansas City Fed.

U.S. and European central bankers are working to restore growth on both sides of the Atlantic, while weighing up the costs and benefits of further action that critics say could contribute to an even more serious financial crisis in the future.

Bernanke, in the audience at the luncheon address, did not flatly reject the suggestion, but he noted that a discussion about international monetary policy cooperation also implied cooperation on foreign exchange rates.

"A problem is, of course, that a lot of exchange rate policy is not made by central banks, it is made by finance ministries ... so I think you have opened up a much more complicated coordination problem than central banks sitting together and reasoning together."

Caruana cheerfully agreed that he was absolutely correct -- drawing general laughter from policymakers that included the governor of the Bank of Japan and president of the Bundesbank as well as the chief of the U.S. central bank -- but stuck to his guns and insisted the question was still legitimate to pose.

Arguing globalization intensified spillovers from financial market disruptions in one country into another, he added that this indicated the need to take the global impact of domestic policy decisions into account.

"This does not necessarily mean monetary policy coordination at the global level, but it does require central banks to better appreciate, internalize and share the side effects that arise from individual monetary policies," he said.

Caruana also said he was "sympathetic" for calls for central bankers to grant "global considerations" an explicit role in their decision-taking, but doubted this could be formalized.

"The major central banks would not be able to publicly outline the mutual consistency of their policies. Drawing attention to areas of inconsistency and dissent would probably undermine effective cooperation," he said. - Reuters

NORTON, Massachusetts: World No. 1 Rory McIlroy fired a second straight 65 on Saturday for a slim halfway lead in the Deutsche Bank Championship with Louis Oosthuizen and Tiger Woods heading the chasing pack.

Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who earned his second career major title at the PGA Championship in August, had a 12-under total of 130 after two rounds on the par-71 TPC Boston layout.

South Africa's Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, was one shot back after a 65 for 131 and 14-time major champion Woods carded a 68 for 132, where he was joined by compatriot Ryan Moore, who also carded a 68.

McIlroy's round included an eagle on the revamped par-five 18th - his ninth hole of the day - where he stuck his approach shot eight feet from the pin.

He had two bogeys on his inward nine, finding the water at the par-five second for a six and also bogeying the par-three third. But he bounced back with birdies at four and five and was in the clubhouse on 12-under 130.

Overnight leader Seung-Yul Noh of South Korea had an even par 71 that included an eagle and a double-bogey and was in a group of five players on 133 that also included South Africa's 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (65).

Nine players were separated by three shots heading into Sunday's third round of the $8 million tournament, which is scheduled to end Monday on the US Labor Day holiday.

Prior to the event, the second in the US PGA Tour's four-tournament playoff series that ends with the Tour Championship in Atlanta, McIlroy predicted the winning total after four rounds on Monday would be from 15- to 18-under par.

"Now that I'm in the tournament, I just want to play as well as I can and maybe reassess things going into the last day," McIlroy said.

"But I was very happy with the two scores that I've got already and know that I need to go out and play just as good tomorrow to give myself a chance going into Monday." - AFP

BERLIN: Australia's Daniel Geale was crowned the new unified IBF and WBA middleweight world champion on Saturday night following his split decision win over Germany's Felix Sturm.

The 31-year-old Tasmanian took the unification bout when the three judges scored the fight 116-112 to Sturm, then 116-112, 116-112 to Geale, who claimed the German's WBA middleweight title in Oberhausen, west Germany.

"Of course, I expected him to be strong, Felix is a good champion, it was a tough, very hard fight," said Geale who beat Germany's Sebastian Sylvester in May 2011 to win the IBF title.

"I have been improving with every fight and I am just so happy to have come here and done this.

"Everyone has given me lots of great support, without these guys I wouldn't be here. I hope we can have a rematch, that was a great fight."

This was the 28th win of Geale's 29 fight career with a 2009 split-decision defeat to compatriot Anthony Mundine his only loss.

It was Sturm's first defeat since he suffered a 10th-round technical knock-out in July 2006 against Spain's Javier Castillejo and was his first defeat after 13 defences of his belt.

"I have to accept the decision, that is boxing," said the 33-year-old German who suffered the third defeat of his 42 fight career.

"He did well on his side, he boxed awesomely and gave his best and I simply have to accept it.

"It's a bitter defeat, but I had my chances.

"I had a few people backing me, (Manchester City striker) Edin Dzeko flew here to support me. I hope to have a rematch, we'll see."

Sturm started strongly, landing some telling punches in the opening two rounds, one telling head shot in the second round opened up a cut on the side of Geale's head, but the Australian finished the third round strongly.

The Australian used Sturm's high guard to land several body shots and a heavy right at the end of the round.

Sturm used his jab well, but the fourth round ended with a flurry of punches from both fighters. After Sturm was strong in the fifth, with a series of jabs and upper-cuts, Geale upped his work rate in the sixth to land several shots.

However, there was little to separate the pair by the halfway stage. Geale boxed more aggressively in the seventh, landing a good head shot late in the round, while Sturm landed a heavy head shot at the end of the eighth.

Sturm impressed in the ninth with a series of head, body shots, but the German was rocked by a good combination by Geale midway through the tenth, which fired up Sturm to come out firing for the 11th.

Geale had more in reserve for the final two rounds and he landed some solid shots, leaving Sturm's face marked by the last bell as the final count went his way. - AFP

LONDON: Oscar Pistorius on Saturday began the defence of his three sprint titles with a bang, breaking the world record in the T44 200m, as Irish runner Jason Smyth became the fastest Paralympian in history over 100m.

Pistorius, who earlier this month became the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics, stormed to victory in his heat at the Olympic Stadium in east London, clocking a new best of 21.30sec.

The 25-year-old said he was happy with the time - and the reception from the 80,000-strong crowd - but again played down expectations that he would complete the sprint clean-sweep.

"I've done a world record tonight, so we'll see what happens, but the 100m isn't really my event," he told reporters.

Pistorius, nicknamed the "Blade Runner" because of his carbon fibre prostheses, will face Beijing silver medallist Jim Bob Bizzell, as well as his long-standing rival Jerome Singleton, both of the United States.

The race had been billed as the highlight of the evening's programme, with Pistorius' participation in the 400m heats and 4x400m relay final at the Olympics making him the most high-profile athlete at the Games.

But Irish sprinter Jason Smyth gave a stunning performance in the T13 100m, streaking to victory in 10.46sec, breaking the previous world best of 10.54sec that he set in qualifying on Friday night.

The 25-year-old, who is visually impaired and like Pistorius also competes in non-disabled races, trains with US sprint star Tyson Gay in Florida and has said it is possible to have a Paralympian run under 10sec in the straight sprint.

He has run 10.22sec - 0.27sec quicker than the non-disabled women's 100m record set by Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988 - although his time has not been recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

There was more cheer for Ireland in the T37 category for athletes with cerebral palsy, as Michael McKillop retained his 800m title from Beijing in a new world record of 1min 57.22sec.

Another record tumbled in the men's T38 100m as Australia's Evan O'Hanlon - once voted one of his country's most eligible bachelors by a fashion magazine - lowered the previous best by 0.09sec to defend his Beijing gold in 10.79sec.

Cuba's Yunidis Castillo also retained her T46 200m title in a new world best.

In the pool, Britain's Ellie Simmonds laid to rest question marks about Victoria Arlen's eligibility to race in the women's S6 400m, smashing the US swim queen's previous world best by just over five seconds to win gold.

Arlen was given the all-clear to race after being ruled "non-eligible" then re-instated earlier this week on appeal. The IPC will rule on her case next August.

Brazil's Andre Brasil, meanwhile, picked up his third gold medal of the Games in the men's S10 100m butterfly, while New Zealand's Sophie Pascoe, triumphed in the women's equivalent, after picking up S10 200m individual medley gold.

US swimmer Jessica Long picked up her third medal in as many days and her 10th in three Games in the SB7 100m breaststroke.

In cycling, Britain's Sarah Storey clinched the C4/5 500m time-trial for her second gold of the Paralympics and the ninth of her Games career, as her husband Barney helped Neil Fachie win the blind and visually impaired 1km time-trial.

In the mens' C4 individual pursuit over 4km, Carol-Eduard Novak of Romania, a silver medallist in Beijing, took gold from the Czech Republic's defending champion Jiri Jezek.

Michael Gallagher gave Australia another gold in the C5 race, while China was at the top of the podium once again after He Yin, who took the women's C1-2-3 500m time-trial.

Defending champions Ukraine and the team they defeated in the final four years ago, Russia, showed they were still the teams to beat in seven-a-side football, as they thumped the United States 9-0 and Argentina 8-0 respectively.

Nigeria continued their dominance of the paralifting, as Esther Oyema and Joy Onaolapo both broke world records in the -48kg and -52kg categories, leaving the the west African nation with a medal in seven of the eight classes at the Games.

There was surprise, though, in the equestrian after Britain's Lee Pearson took silver to Australia's Joann Formosa in the Grade Ib individual championship - the first time he has beaten in a Paralympic dressage competition in four Games. - AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian nationals working in Malaysia complain the least about exploitation, ill-treatment and non-payment of salaries.

Compared to the thousands of complaints made by their fellow countrymen working elswhere outside India, there were only 65 complaints from Indian nationals in Malaysia up to July this year.

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said there was a total of 152 complaints from Indian workers in Malaysia last year, an increase from 131 in 2010 and 105 in 2009.

He said in a statement here that although the number of complaints registered in Malaysia had been increasing in recent years, it still remained low when compared to other countries hosting workers from India.

Vayalar said Indian nationals working in Kuwait recorded the highest number of complaints with 2,253 grievances in the first seven months of the year.

This is followed by those in Qatar (2,194), Oman (1,494), Bahrain (470) and the United Arab Emirates (393).

He said Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia recorded 1,889 complaints up to August.

"The Indian government has taken several initiatives to protect the welfare of overseas Indian workers.

"There does not appear to be a continuous rise in the number of cases of exploitation or misbehaviour and harassment of Indian workers," he said.

Vayalar Ravi also said there are about 150,000 legally-recruited Indian workers in Malaysia, both in the skilled and semi-skilled segments and mainly in the services sector.

He added there are also about 10,000 professional expatriates employed in the information technology, manufacturing and banking sectors.

"Malaysia is among the top favourite destinations for Indian job-seekers due to the nearness (of the two countries) as well as the strong bilateral ties (between them)," he said.

India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the worker issue with Malaysia as well as with the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

The MoUs enhance bilateral cooperation in management of migration and protection of labour welfare.

Najib was responding to reports that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had not issued an invitation to the Sultan to attend state-level Merdeka eve celebration in Shah Alam.

The Sultan's private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani had claimed that it was a norm to invite the Sultan to the event, adding that it had been a common practice of the previous Selangor government.

"It is also weird that they want to do things like change the flag," Najib said, referring to reports of individuals waving "alternative flags" to the Jalur Gemilang during the Janji Demokrasi gathering at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 30.

Firing more salvos at Pakatan, Najib said winds of change were also blowing in Selangor with more people responding positively to Barisan Nasional.

Speaking at the Selangor Barisan Hari Raya open house at the Rubber Research Institute here Saturday, he said this year's crowd, estimated at 100,000, was a lot more than last year's attendance.

"And it is definitely more than the state government's Merdeka eve celebration. This proves that the people of Selangor are ready to make that change so that the state's administration will return to Barisan," he said.

Najib said while the state government had not fulfilled its promises to the people, the Federal Government had gone above and beyond that was promised in its manifesto with various aid programmes for the people.

Meanwhile, in SHAH ALAM, Khalid defended the state-level National Day celebration against criticisms that the Sultan of Selangor was not invited.

He said the celebration was held according to all common practices and guidelines put into place by the previous state government.

"There was nothing surprising in the way the celebration was held. I did not see anything wrong in the way the function was planned and executed.

"Planning for the event was undertaken by a special task force under the purview of the Selangor state secretary (Datuk Mohd Khusrin Mohd) and it has been doing it this way before 2008," he said at the Shah Alam Gallery here.

Khalid said that although he would meet the Sultan every Wednesday to discuss various issues, they never talked about the celebration.

"There was no need to discuss the matter as the planning for the celebration was under the state secretary. Besides, there are many other important issues that need attention," he said.

On Saturday, members of the Selangor Perkasa, including its president Abu Bakar Yahya, lodged a report at the Shah Alam police headquarters on the matter.

KOTA BELUD: The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry has asked Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz to organise a special programme to explain to the people the amended Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950.

"For a start, the ministry through RTM would organise forums on a small, medium and large scale with expertise from the Attorney-General's Chambers to explain the legislation well," he told reporters after launching the Sabah state-level 1Malaysia Community carnival in Kampung Rampayan Laut near here.

Rais was asked whether the people had a sound understanding of the legislation, which was amended in the Dewan Rakyat in April.

The amended section reads:

"Presumption of fact in publication 114A.

(1)A person whose name, photograph or pseudonym appears on any publication depicting himself as the owner, host, administrator, editor or sub-editor, or who in any manner facilitates to publish or re-publish the publication is presumed to have published or re-published the contents of the publication unless the contrary is proved.

(2)A person who is registered with a network service provider as a subscriber of a network service on which any publication originates from is presumed to be the person who published or re-published the publication unless the contrary is proved.

(3)Any person who has in his custody or control any computer on which any publication originates from is presumed to have published or re-published the content of the publication unless the contrary is proved. - Bernama

The St. Michael's Institution Alumni Association, Klang Valley, will hold its 10th Annual Fellowship Golf Tournament at the Meru Valley Golf Club, Ipoh on Sept 28 in conjunction with the school's centennial year. Participation fees are RM150 per head for Michaelians and RM180 per head for non-Michaelians, inclusive of green fees and insurance, a light lunch and dinner, T-shirt, buggies and prizes. Participation fees and donations will be given towards the St. Michael's Institution Development Fund. For details, contact Francis Chong at fytchong@yahoo.com or 012-366 1223 and Eugene Wong at eugene_wongfk@yahoo.com or 012-523 1822.

LUNG CANCER TALK

Tropicana Medical Centre (TMC) is holding a free public forum on Lung Cancer Awareness on Sept 8 from 10am to 1pm at its auditorium on the seventh floor. The forum will be held to educate the the public on lung cancer symptoms and available treatments. For details, call 03-6287 1206 (Mei Yee), 016-211 1362 (Yati) or email meiyees@tropicanamedicalcentre.com.

CANCER HELP

The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is holding a talk on Childhood Cancers on Sept 8 from 10am to 1pm at No 66, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur. The talk will cover the facts and figures behind childhood cancers and support for parents. Admission is free. Call 03-2698 7300 (Adeline/Mila) or email adeline@cancer.org or mila@cancer.org.my.

RAISING AWARENESS

Pride Foundation will be organising the Hunt with Pride at 8am on Sept 15 at the Rahman Putra Golf Club, Sungai Buloh Selangor to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer. Entry fees per car of four participants are RM300 while cars with a minimum of one breast cancer survivor will be charged a participation fee of RM 200. Entry forms can be found at www.pride.org.my

ART SHOWCASE

Christine Das will be showcasing her art series themed Hot For Nature at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTic) Art Gallery, Hall 2 from Sept 3 to 28. This is her first solo exhibition and 25 paintings, including a number of collectors' items, will be on display. Call 03- 5611 9186.

FRIM PHOTO CONTEST

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) invites photographers and photo enthusiasts, professionals as well as amateurs, to join its Photography Competition, themed Uniquely FRIM, starting today. For details, call 03-62797591 or 7577.

TARC ALUMNI NITE

The TARC Alumni Appreciation Nite that is open to all Tarcians will be held on Sept 21 at 7pm at the Tunku Abdul Rahman College KL Campus, Sports Complex carpark. Tickets are priced at RM50 each. For reservations, contact e 03-41450123/ Ext 456 (Serene Ong)/ 477 (Amber Tan)/ 380 (Wee); email: alumni@mail.tarc.edu.my by Sept 10.

THE much-anticipated exhibition match between a RSC selection (Under-12 players) against former Malaysian internationals did not take place before the opening of the 10th Royal Selangor Club (RSC) Milo International Under-12 and 12th RSC Tiger international seven-a-side tournaments at the club's ground in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur recently.

However, former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary Datuk Peter Vellapan complemented the carnival-like atmosphere when he turned up to offer words of wisdom in spreading the message of sharing the passion for football to the budding players.

Peter assured the children competing in the junior contest that they will soak up the fun-filled experience and pick up important values on and off the field as they pursue their interest in football.

The former long-serving administrator also went on to mention that football was an effective informal education institution.

"Football is a school of life. The hosts have displayed their commitment by creating an avenue for the children to be part of a joyful occasion.

"They are investing in developing the children's football skills as well as building their character. The children are definitely going to have a good time," Peter said.

Host RSC were denied a double in the competition. RSC's Team Four failed to win the Under-12 title when they went down 2-6 to Singapore's Junior Soccer School and League (JSSL) Arsenal in the final.

RSC had qualified for the final after beating defending champions and tournament favourites CIMB-YFA 1-0, while JSSL Arsenal defeated 2008 champions Bintang Baru from Penang.

The match, between RSC Team Four and JSSL Arsenal, was an exciting one with supporters from both sides cheering the young players.

The RSC Team Four showed early promise but fizzled out after 10 minutes as JSSL Arsenal showed tremendous individual skills, good teamwork and slick moves.

All hopes of a double were erased when JSSL Arsenal went on to score four goals to lead at half-time.

In the second session, RSC pulled back with two quick goals but it was not enough as JSSL Arsenal were simply too good and stepped up the pace by scoring another two goals for the 6-2 win.

JSSL Arsenal's Benjamin Davis was the hero in the final. He scored a hat-trick while Luke Benjamin, Tobi Sakate and Saul Katz contributed a goal each. RSC's two goals were scored by Ram Soorya.

JSSL Arsenal coach Harvey Davis said the team had been together for the past four years.

"The players are only 11 years old. They have been competing in the Singapore Youth league and were champions of the Under-10 in 2010 and last year were Under-12 champions.

"This year, we will be competing in the Under-12 and Under-14 leagues. The team recently returned from the Gothia Cup in Sweden; we finished top eight out of the 200 teams," said Davis.

However, RSC were victorious in the Masters. They came back from two goals to win 4-2 against Hang Over — thanks to a brace by Australian Abbas Saad.

Abbas, who had played for Johor and Singapore in the M-League scored two goals while the other goals came from Sri Rajinikanth and former Selangor international A. Jayakanthan.

Rajinikanth won the top scorer's award for the Masters category having scored four goals.

In the Grand Masters, Singapore's Polyknights defeated Kinta Indian Association (KIA) 3-1 to wrest the title.

Rajinikanth was awarded the top scorer's award of the tournament for the Masters category with his total of four goals.

Besides Jayakanthan and Abbas, other internationals who turned out for RSC were Kuala Lumpur's defender P. Saravanan.

A special award for the Most Senior Player was given to former double international (soccer and hockey) V. Kalimuthu. The 66-year-old played for RSC in the Grand Masters.

Besides the participation of international schools in the junior tournament, organising chairman Jimi Low said they were delighted that foreign visitors and expatriates from Australia, Holland, South Korea, India and Singapore were also in action.

"They (foreign entries) had definitely added to the excitement. They might be competitive on the field but they were in a more relaxed mood in between matches and the social gatherings after the matches.

"It was also an opportunity for the local teams to foster closer ties with teams comprising players from different nationalities," said Jimi.